Vol. 16 No. 3(I)S (2024)

The digital economy is rapidly growing and transforming the way people work and do business globally. This growth has a significant impact on employment in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. This study aimed to examine the impact of the digital economy and net export on employment in selected ASEAN members, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Sample years were extracted from 1991 to 2021 and the panel data regression method was applied in this study. The result of this study showed that the digital economy; fixed broadband subscription (LBROAD), internet users (LUSER), and net export (LEXP01) had a significant influence on employment (LTEMP).

Innovation is essential for small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, as it improves productivity and competitiveness in the agricultural industry. It is essential to incorporate cuttingedge techniques and tools for processing coconuts, given the agriculture sector's objective of increasing productivity and sustainability. Since Malaysia aims to upgrade its agricultural methods, these advancements are relevant in Malaysia. The present study provides a thorough SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of CoCoCut's cutting and peeling procedures and tools for coconuts. The analysis is based on a single-case study. Furthermore, it evaluates the inherent advantages and disadvantages of these innovative approaches, together with the potential advantages and risks in the market. This study offers a thorough analysis of the innovative tool, i.e., CoCoCut's areas of expertise, which can help in identifying the numerous possibilities for expanding its business. Moreover, it offers a comprehensive comprehension of CoCoCut's vulnerabilities and discerns prospective hazards that pertinent stakeholders may encounter in the future. Having this comprehension is crucial for effectively navigating the intricacies of the market and taking advantage of advancements. To conclude, this study emphasizes the need for adopting creative methods in coconut processing and advancing a more competitive and sustainable coconut sector. The invention and utilization of this groundbreaking instrument have several substantial economic ramifications. This cuttingedge gadget enhances the efficiency of coconut peeling, resulting in a boost in output. It is advisable to utilize this instrument to enhance the distribution network by forming strategic alliances with industry and trade firms, thereby expanding its reach in the worldwide market.

During the pandemic, many sectors, including education, were affected. The shift from traditional to online learning is an opening for students and educators to explore online learning. Students may connect from anywhere at any time through this learning mode. This sudden shift has impacted the learning behavior of students to a large extent. People can access information anytime and anywhere that is typically available only through a traditional classroom. This study adopts the Push-Pull-Mooring (PPM) theory as the theoretical framework to understand how push, pull, and mooring factors affect students' shift from offline to online learning. A survey was used as the main instrument in this study. A quantitative approach was utilized to achieve the stated research objectives. The questionnaires were distributed among undergraduate students in public and private schools in Malaysia through convenience sampling techniques. The minimal 77 sample size has been determined by utilizing G*Power software. 117 responses were collected from the questionnaires that met the minimum required sample size for this study. The findings emphasize that push and pull factors are essential to student learning. However, the mooring factor does not affect the student's switching behavior. The study sheds light on capturing more essential measures in the theoretical development of switching behavior.

The mental health of university students is a major concern due to the various stressors they face, including academic pressures, social dynamics, and personal development challenges. Previous studies have shown that gender differences significantly impact how students perceive and express psychological distress. This study aimed to identify these differences in the context of academic stress, social support, self-esteem, academic motivation, and family functioning, and their association with psychological distress. The study involved 2206 medical students in a cross-sectional study at a medical university in Ningxia, western China. The data analysis revealed significant gender differences in scores for academic stress, social support, and academic motivation. Academic stress, social support, and family functioning were found to be significantly associated with psychological distress for both genders. However, academic motivation was found to significantly influence psychological distress only among male students, while self-esteem had an impact on female students. These findings highlight the need for tailored mental health services in universities to address gender-specific needs, such as providing counseling services that focus on coping with academic stress and strengthening social and familial support networks to improve student well-being.

The transition to a hydrogen economy is vital for achieving sustainable transport in Malaysia, particularly in mitigating the environmental impact of heavy-duty mobility. This paper proposes a preliminary methodological framework to evaluate hydrogen's potential as a transformative solution for decarbonizing the transportation sector, focusing on key areas such as hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and vehicle integration, with an emphasis on green hydrogen from renewable sources. Our assessment reveals the significant potential of hydrogen to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, positioning it as a viable alternative to fossil fuels and battery-electric vehicles, especially in heavy-duty applications. The study assesses the technological feasibility, economic viability, and environmental benefits of adopting hydrogen in Malaysia, considering current infrastructure, production capabilities, and regulatory frameworks. Key challenges identified include the high costs of hydrogen production and infrastructure, technological barriers in storage and vehicle integration, and gaps in policy and market readiness. To address these, we propose strategic recommendations for stakeholders, highlighting the need for government support, public-private partnerships, and international collaborations. This framework aims to guide Malaysia’s transition to a hydrogen-powered transport sector, aligning with the nation’s sustainability and energy security goals while positioning Malaysia as a leader in hydrogen technology in Southeast Asia.

Employee retention is crucial for organizational success, especially in dynamic fields like Digital, Technology, and Innovation. This correlational study investigated factors influencing employee retention within the DTI department of a Malaysian GLC, guided by Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory. The study examined the relationship between employee retention (dependent variable) and compensation & benefits, work-life balance, career growth opportunities, and training & development (independent variables). Data was collected from a diverse sample of DTI employees using a comprehensive survey and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. The findings revealed no significant relationship between compensation & benefits, work-life balance, or career growth opportunities and employee retention. However, a significant positive relationship was found between training & development and employee retention. This study provides insights into the unique factors affecting retention in DTI departments and offers practical recommendations for creating a supportive work environment that enhances employee retention. Specifically, the study highlights the importance of robust training and development programs in fostering employee satisfaction, skills development, and ultimately, higher retention rates.

Despite the rapid increase in internet and mobile users in Malaysia, the growth of online purchases through social media platforms has not kept pace with this broader digital trend. This study investigates the key predictors that influence consumer buying behavior through social media marketing, with a specific focus on the roles of Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) and Perceived Usefulness (PU) of these platforms. Employing a quantitative cross-sectional research design, data were collected from 115 respondents in Malaysia who have experience making online purchases via mobile applications. The study also examines variations in consumer experiences based on demographic factors, including age, gender, education level, and geographic region. The findings indicate that both PEOU and PU are significant predictors that shape consumer buying behavior on social media platforms. This research provides valuable insights for marketers seeking to enhance the effectiveness of their social media marketing strategies. By better understanding the factors driving consumer behavior in the Malaysian market, businesses can design more targeted and personalized campaigns for specific consumer segments, ultimately improving their competitive advantage in this digital landscape.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the gender differences of the Shopee platform for online shopping behavior by using the J48 decision tree algorithm to classify and predict shopping frequency among male and female consumers in the Malaysian context. WEKA software was used in this study to analyze the datasets. From the experiments, the majority of Shopee users were female consumers. The findings show that female consumer behavior is more complicated and more varied regarding purchasing behavior. The study's findings demonstrate the potential of gender-specific insights to enhance e-commerce strategies, particularly in product recommendations and targeted marketing. Although the J48 model performed well in predicting male shopping patterns, it was less effective for females, indicating the need for more advanced modeling techniques to better capture the complexities of female consumer behavior. This research also emphasizes the significance of using machine learning tools like the J48 decision tree to analyze consumer data, providing valuable insights for improving customer satisfaction and business performance. However, limitations such as sample size and the focus on a single platform suggest that further research is needed, including the exploration of alternative algorithms and broader demographic factors.

Various legislative measures, such as the Sale of Drugs Act 1952, Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, Poison Act 1952, Guidelines for Control of Cosmetic Products 2022, and other directives introduced by the NPRA in Malaysia, are intended to control the safety of cosmetic products. Despite these existing laws and directives, cosmetic products containing hazardous ingredients persist in the Malaysian market. NPRA reportedly received 1,041 complaints about cosmetic products in 2022, while its website also displays an annual increase in cases involving cosmetic products that contain hazardous ingredients. The persistent presence of harmful cosmetic products in the market highlights significant gaps in efforts to control hazardous cosmetic products. This study examined the efficacy of cosmetic product safety regulations in Malaysia, focusing on the role of the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) and industry compliance. This qualitative study gathered data from library databases and conducted semi-structured interviews with NPRA officers, cosmetic manufacturers, and cosmetic industry experts. Findings suggest that despite the extensive nature of the regulatory framework, its implementation, which heavily relies on selfregulation and post-market surveillance, requires serious improvement. While some cosmetic producers adhere to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, there are still persistent issues related to product notification, misuse of self-regulation, and inadequate penalties for non-compliance. Therefore, an intensive awareness campaign aimed at cosmetic manufacturers is necessary to ensure the production of safe cosmetic products. Consumers must play their role in helping the NPRA control the sale of hazardous cosmetic products by performing safety checks before purchasing them.

Economic development is intimately linked to human resource development. People who can improve themselves fast and efficiently successfully deal with life's problems and challenges, including those who are in tertiary education. Therefore, their stress level is an indicator of the well-being of our future leaders. This study investigates the various factors that can affect tertiary students' well-being. This preliminary research involves collecting data from higher education institutions in Melaka, with 191 completed responses. The findings were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation, and correlation. Findings show that 62.8% of respondents experience low stress, while 37.2% report high stress. Key stressors include time pressure, academic dissatisfaction, and subject matter issues, with financial and social factors also contributing to stress levels. However, relationships and environmental factors appear to have a lesser impact on their stress levels. Based on the correlation coefficient, stress level (dependent variable) does not relate to single variables. Most variables have a moderate correlation with the other variables. The study's findings show that tertiary students in Melaka do not experience alarmingly high levels of stress, but several factors do affect them. Therefore, well-being must be prioritized to ensure the best human capital can be created, as it represents future leaders and a skilled workforce. Recommendations are made for policy adjustments to address stress factors, providing human capital development for sustained national progress. Keyword s: Well-being, tertiary students, development, human capital